Eating Up Books and Turkey Mood: a-ok Now Playing: Harlequin's Kimani Romance and American Romance Topic: Book Reviews At First Kiss by Gwyneth Bolton My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Perfect, sexy, sassy, and heartwarming romance novel with just enough drama that doesn't rake you over the coals before the happily ever after. This is a romance novel I could see myself rereading.
Serena is a small town Texas librarian who is falling behind on her bills because the recession has caused the town to the library's budget and hence Serena's salary. Jarred Riddell is Serena Higgens' long time friend and crush. When Jarred offers Serena money to teach him charms lessons in order to attract the town's society girl, Serena can hardly refuse the offer. In a sweet and predictable manner, Jarred soon starts to realize that Serena is the woman he needs and wants in his life not VIctoria Snow. Serena definitely wants him, but how long will it take for Jarred to come around and confess his feelings before Serena writes him is the true conflict of the story.
My Favorite Cowboy had all my favorite elements for a paperback romance novel:
* a cowboy who works on a ranch * a librarian as a heroine * friends-to-lovers scenario * a hero or heroine whose family has a strong presence and also acts as the Greek Chorus, humor, or the voice of reason
and * a hero and a heroine who banter
I loved this book. I'm glad I bought it, and that I'm recent road trip allowed me to have a good 8 hours alone with it. It is a sweet and tender story without being sappy or devoid of sexuality. Definitely a romance novel I wouldn't mind my daughter finding when she is 12 years old and curious
I put aside my negativity about Jane Austen and all the hoopla surrounding her works (including Pride and Prejudice) to check out Wickham's Diary, which seemed like it might be a delightful piece of fluff that would include ingredients from Gossip Girl, Edith Wharton, and American Psycho. I was sadly disappointed that it turned out to be a bit of a flat read that didn't allow me to connect with Wickham. All the elements were there (i.e. envy, scheming, overbearing mum) but they didn't gel.
Imagine if Maid Marian was locked in a love triangle with Robin Hood of Locksley and Will--the cold Sheriff of Nottingham? Throw in a dash of courtly intrigue and steamy encounters and you have this novel. It's entertaining to see the old folktale imagined this way, but it isn't the most stunning tale.
This spare book is bright, colorful, and fun. It is perfect for read-alouds for children 2 and up, who can get the humor of it. My daughters love it and I love looking at because the colors are so hypnotic. Dinosaur vs. the Library by Bob Shea My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love the Dinosaur vs. series and I find them funny to read aloud. I also like reading them to myself. However this current Dinosaur incarnation doesn't seem as good as the others. The Dinosaur is bringing animals to the library for all of them to make noise at the library. I thought perhaps the plot would be Dinosaur "attacking" different parts of the library until he is tamed by story time.
Sweet, adorable, colorful. Perfect for read-a-louds and for one-on-ones. The art work is beautiful, and its multi-textured. I wish the book said what type of materials the author used.
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Updated: November 3, 2011 3:10 PM EDT
October 29, 2011
Pants in Review Mood: a-ok Topic: Fashion Thoughts
Just My Size has just made my perfect pants. I thought I had gained weight because all of my pants were fitting tight around the waist. (I hadn't gained weight it just shifted.) As a woman who dresses casually for work, I thought the best decision I could make about my wardrobe was to go the legging and tunic route until I saw these pants!! Although they have an elastic waistband, they fit just like slacks. The skim over my thighs, bottom and legs, and flatter just like a pair of slacks. They are comfortable without pinching. It also versatile. It can be worn with flats, heels, boots, blouses, tunics or sweaters. I feel womanly, put together, and a little sexy when I wear these pants. I have them in black and herringbone. I wish they came in more colors!
Fists of Steel, Heart of Blood Mood: energetic Now Playing: Real Steel Topic: Movie Reviews
Let's get a few things out of the way first before I lodge into my review of the latest Hugh Jackman flick “Real Steel.” If you are a regular reader of this blog or of anything I ever posted on the internet over the past ten years, then you know that I love Hugh Jackman. Although there's a 50-50 chance that a Hugh Jackman film will be good, Hugh, himself is always charismatic and fun to watch on film. He never phones it in. Second, yes “Real Steel” is reminiscent of the 1980s toy "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots," which I desperately wanted to own.
Thirdly, lets acknowledge that we are all in the electronic artificial intelligence age and that we are more slaves to our computers than ever, and that we are selling humankind up a mechanic river filled with chips, metal, and plastic.
Finally, let’s also acknowledge that we are bloodthirsty creatures. From the ancient times, we liked gladiator matches. We, as humans, like watching UFC, football, boxin, WWE, etc. We like watching a good beat down, which is probably why people pull out there phones to video record fights before they call the police. “Real Steel” doesn’t acknowledge any of those personality quirks of humankind, because it isn’t that type of movie. “Real Steel” is not a morality play about humans becoming as cold as the technology we carry or why we enjoy blood sport. It is a feel good movie that both older children, teens, and parents can enjoy together. It is a family film where we root for the underdog.
Charlie (Hugh Jackman) is a washed up human boxer turned robot boxer, who trolls scrap yards looking for pieces to create a great robot boxer to pull him out of his poverty-ridden existence. Even when Charlie discovers he has an 11-year-old son, Max, he still chases after the dollar with horrible circumstances until Max discovers an old robot that can take a ticking and keep on licking. Even better, it can be taught to fight because it shadows the moves of anything in front of it. From this point, the movie begins its upward trajectory. The junkyard dog robot Max discovers, Atom, moves up the ranks until it is given a championship match. Charlie and Max bond over boxing, cans of Dr. Pepper, and training Atom. You know where this story is going (actually not all of it because the ending is a bit of a surprise), and it is a pleasing ride.
The robot animatronics is awesome. Whoever worked on the robotics on this movie should takeover the Transformers franchise. They made the most clunky robot boxer graceful and light on their 2 ton feet. The boxing matches are engaging. The audience I saw it with was as hooked as I was. They were shouting at the screen; mirroring the punches; grimacing with each body blow; and clapping after each victory. Even better, Hugh Jackman and Dakota Goyo (who plays Max) are just engaging on screen as their metal counterparts. The little boy has attitude, moxie, street smarts, and just enough moppet to not him appear as a pint-size asshole. The same could be said for Jackman. His character is a totally jerk, but he gives him just enough tenderness that we forgive him for being an absentee dad.
The kinetic and mostly urban soundtrack add to making the audience hyper. Tracks by Timbaland, 50-Cent, and Eminem feature prominently in the movie and adds to the grittiness of underground robot boxing as well as underscoring the hungriness of Charlie, Max and Atom to win.
You will not waste your money seeing this crowd-pleaser especially if you go with your tween-age kids or younger. (There was a little boy in my audience, no more than 4 years old, who shouted out that he wanted to be a robot. Too cute.)
Tuesday Teaser Mood: not sure Now Playing: You Against Me by Jenny Downham Topic: Book Reviews
Dad slammed his for down. 'That's enough!' A spatter of gravy flew across the table and landed on the clother. 'If you can't be civil, then you go to your room. What the hell's got into you, Eleanor?' --page 257, You Against Me by Jenny Downham
Tie One On Mood: caffeinated Topic: Fashion Thoughts
After about two weeks serious balmy weather in New York City, we are finally getting some Autumn like weather. As much as I like fall weather, it can be a bit bi-polar: really cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon. So, I've taken to wearing a scarf over my blazer each morning so I'm not too warm in the afternoon nor too cold in the morning. Woman's Day magazine had a nice little video on a new way to tie your scarf so it stays put. Click this link to check it out. I'm going to try it tomorrow.
What The Librarian Is Reading Mood: flirty Topic: Book Reviews
What Am I Reading?
Your Man is Wonderful: How to Appreciate Your Partner, Romance Your Differences, and Love the One You've Got by Noelle C. Nelson
Practical Widow to Passionate Mistress by Louise Allen
Love in the Mountains by Janet Burnham Haywood
The Hot Spot by Niobia Bryant: An extra steamy novel about a 42-year-old divorcee's romance with a super-sexy 20-something diary farmer who wants to start a family. The problem? Her kids are grown and she doesn't want to be anybody's wife anymore. Or will her new boyfriend change her mind?
What Will I Read?
Secret Weapon by Opal Carew
Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1) by Simone Elkeles
Ask the Dust by John Fante
What Did I Just Read or Started-but-Stopped Reading?
Penguin by Polly Dunbar
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
The World of King Arthur and His Court by Kevin Crossley-Holland: Great non fiction book about the mythical king and his court. It blends truth, folklore, and poetry to teach King Arthur fans about the time in which he lived. I only wished there was more about Arthur's background, heritage and rise to power.
Posted by Kiki Shoes
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Updated: September 28, 2011 4:25 PM EDT
August 31, 2011
The 3 Ws
What I Am Reading...
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende, page 21
Testimony by Anita Shreve, page 131
The Master's Mistress by Carole Mortimer, page 121
What I Will Read...
The Hot Spot by Niobia Bryant
A Whole Lot of Love by Justine Davis
The Watcher by James Howe
What I Just Read...
When the New Baby Comes, I'm Moving Out by Martha Alexander
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy. Mood: happy Now Playing: Harlequin's A Cowboy for Every Mood Topic: Book Reviews
I think it is no big secret that I have a huge celebrity crush on Hugh Jackman going back about ten years. Every now and then another Brit or Australian or Scot or Irishman (and the rare American) catches my attention, but I always go back to Hugh. So, it is with no surprise that I admit it is because of him that I have a huge preference for the cowboy romance.
It all started when I went to see that gosh awful movie Australia. It wasn't the acting that was bad, btw. It was the direction of the movie. It tried to be all things but it ended up being a mess. One of the things Australia tried to be was a cowboy romance, and Hugh Jackman makes for one fine looking cowboy. His character was rugged, just, rough around the edges, a savior, a protector, and a lover who could clean up very well. What more could a woman ask for in romantic partner? So, with every cowboy romance novel I pick up, I will always think of Hugh from Australia.
Harlequin Books is making it very easy for me to get my fix this month. They will be placing a special Stetson logo on all their releases in July to make it easier for me (*ahem* I mean "we") to find western and cowboy themed romances. Just look for the below logo:
Here's a sampling of cowboy/western themed romance novels I've enjoyed:
Cowboy, Take Me Away by Kathleen Eagle
Taming Blackhawk by Barbara McCauley
Wanted! by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer
McKettricks of Texas: Austin by Linda Lael Miller
The Call of the Canyon by Zane Grey
The Mighty Quinns: Brody by Kate Hoffman
Disclaimer: I am a Harlequin ambassador and they encouraged me to blog, Facebook or Tweet about their "A Cowboy for Every Mood" promotion. I was not paid or reimbursed in any form or fashion. Although most of the books I listed were published by Harlequin, I acquired with my own funds or library card. :-)
Posted by Kiki Shoes
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Updated: July 21, 2011 3:17 PM EDT
July 13, 2011
What I Am; What I Was; What I Will Mood: lazy Topic: Book Reviews
I know my body shape nor my lifestyle would do justice to these styles, but there's just something about the feminine touches of the gloves, hats, and pants suits of the 1930s-1950s American fashion that attract me.
The Look Book takes one hundred years of female celebrities and shows teens and young women how to copy theier most iconic features whether it is from Dorothy Dandridge's pin curls to Cher's disco eyes or Brooke Sheild's full eyebrows circa...
A really good read aloud version of the AESOP classic. Perfect for group story times with kindergarten to second graders. The ink and paint illustrations are large but does not clutter the page, which allows the text of the story to be seen...
Although I love science fiction and fantasy movies, I have never been a fan of the books. Besides the plot and the characters, I also have to make myself familiar with a whole new world, society, creatures, mores, etc. so it was with great ...
Kyle blew out is knee and can no longer play football. With interest in nothing else, he is floating through senior aimless and on the verge of being left back. Bo was always the chubby girl who knew her role as wallflower and played her po...
Posted by Kiki Shoes
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Updated: July 13, 2011 3:33 PM EDT
July 12, 2011
Tease Me, Tempt Me, Read Me... Mood: hug me Topic: Book Reviews
I must say, I am fraught with eagerness as I anticipate her expression when she receives my gifts. She is aglow with animation, whereas my princess was the picture of reserve. I long for Anne Plantagenet every day, but more and more I find myself subject to a strange sort of excitement when in the presence of my new wife.
a-ok
At First Kiss by Gwyneth Bolton
My Favorite Cowboy by Shelley Galloway
on fire
energetic
not sure
caffeinated
flirty
Penguin by Polly Dunbar
happy
Texas! Lucky by Sandra Brown 
The Master's Mistress by Carol Mortimer
At First Kiss by Gwyneth Bolton
A Whole Lot of Love by Justine Davis (ebook version)
Robin Hood & The Golden Arrow by Robert D. San Souci
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
lazy
hug me
I must say, I am fraught with eagerness as I anticipate her expression when she receives my gifts. She is aglow with animation, whereas my princess was the picture of reserve. I long for Anne Plantagenet every day, but more and more I find myself subject to a strange sort of excitement when in the presence of my new wife.